Iraqi Prime Minister Directs Parliament to Draft Law on Monopolizing Weapons in State Hands

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Allawi has directed the Security and Defense Committee of the Iraqi Parliament to prepare a draft law to centralize weapons under state control, in accordance with constitutional provisions. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Bureau quoted al-Allawi as saying, during his meeting on Tuesday with the head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee and its members, that “the most dangerous threat to the state is uncontrolled weapons, as they undermine the rule of law and weaken the authority of security institutions.” He emphasized the importance of strengthening the state’s sovereignty, prestige, and constitutional institutions, and enhancing the capabilities of the military establishment to ensure internal stability linked to economic, political, and security stability, thereby safeguarding Iraq’s security and integrity. Al-Allawi stressed the necessity of coordination and integration between the executive and legislative branches to enhance stability, enact laws, and provide a legislative framework for the government’s developmental plans and programs, highlighting the importance of holding regular meetings with the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee to advance these files. The Iraqi government had previously announced that it would not allow weapons to remain outside state control after September 30, the deadline for the withdrawal of international coalition forces.